Reimbursement made easy with new health care card

The biggest complaint about using health care reimbursement accounts has been the paperwork -- filling out forms, mailing them with receipts, and then waiting for the check.

That's why employees like Lance Brown are looking forward to 2008 when Duke introduces a new Health Care Card through Visa that will pay for many eligible health care expenses at the register using money from his reimbursement account.

"It's a huge advantage, especially for someone like me with significant health care costs every month," said Brown, senior systems programmer at the Department of Statistical Science. He spends about $200 a month on diabetes and high blood pressure medication.

The new Health Care Card, provided by WageWorks, Duke's reimbursement account administrator, works similar to a debit card. The purchase automatically deducts money from an employee's Health Care Reimbursement Account for eligible purchases, including dental and doctors' fees, prescriptions, and some over-the-counter drugs. During open enrollment, employees can sign up for a reimbursement account and determine how much they want to contribute to the account in 2008, which sets the spending limit with the card.

"Because reimbursement accounts use pre-tax dollars, faculty and staff can save about $30 to $40 for every $100 spent on eligible expenses," said Saundra Daniels, Benefits plan manager.

The card can be used with health care providers, and at pharmacies and certified retailers for over-the-counter drugs. Certified retailers such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club currently accept the Health Care Card for eligible health care expenses, and more retailers will be added by 2008.

"If a retailer does not accept the card or if a transaction is denied, purchases can still be reimbursed by submitting claims forms with a receipt for eligible expenses," Daniels said.

Daniels said all receipts should be kept with Health Care Card purchase because WageWorks may require documentation to verify expenses.

For example, while the card is accepted at a dentist's office, cosmetic teeth whitening procedures are not eligible and will not be reimbursed. Daniels said reimbursement account participants should first verify expenses are eligible for reimbursement. A list of eligible expenses can be found here.

Get The Card

Faculty and staff may enroll in the health care reimbursement account only during open enrollment, Oct. 1-17. Reimbursement accounts do not automatically renew each year. Information about signing up for the account is included in open enrollment packets and will be available later this month at www.hr.duke.edu. The Health Care Card will be mailed before Jan. 1, 2008.